Report: Miller being floated in Padres-Mets trade talks

Could one of MLB’s preeminent flamethrowers be on the move … again?

According to a report from The Athletic, Mason Miller’s name has come up in trade talks between the Padres and Mets, with New York also said to be discussing starter Nick Pivetta and relievers Jeremiah Estrada and Adrian Morejon with San Diego.

The Padres, who acquired Miller from the Athletics less than five months ago, are reportedly enticed by the Mets’ top prospects -- both pitchers and position players -- as well as some of their young Major Leaguers.

The Athletic's report notes that superstars Francisco Lindor and Fernando Tatis Jr. are not among those being discussed by the two teams.

The Mets reached a two-year deal with free-agent infielder Jorge Polanco on Saturday (per a source), but president of baseball operations David Stearns still has a lot of work to do, not only to address the club’s holes but also to mollify a fan base that has seen a trio of beloved players -- first baseman Pete Alonso, closer Edwin Díaz and left fielder Brandon Nimmo -- depart this offseason.

The Mets acquired second baseman Marcus Semien in a trade for Nimmo and signed closer Devin Williams before striking a deal with Polanco, who is expected to be used mainly at first base and designated hitter. Still on Stearns’ to-do list? Improving the team’s rotation, bullpen and outfield.

To that end, the Mets are reportedly considering a wide range of options, both in free agency and the trade market. Per another report from The Athletic on Friday, White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr. is one of them, though Chicago may need to kick in some money to offset Robert’s $20 million salary in 2026. Robert’s deal also includes a $20 million club option for 2027. The Mets have been linked to free-agent outfielders Kyle Tucker and Cody Bellinger as well.

On the starting pitching front, the Brewers’ Freddy Peralta is of interest to the Mets, among many other teams. Meanwhile, MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reported for the New York Post on Thursday that the Mets have been debating whether to make a push for Tigers ace Tarik Skubal this offseason, knowing it would cost them a wealth of young talent, or wait to pursue him as a free agent after the 2026 campaign.

A high-ranking Mets official told Heyman that Nolan McLean (MLB Pipeline’s No. 11 overall prospect) is “off limits,” but the club could put together an enticing package for Skubal regardless. The Mets have three other MLB Pipeline Top 100 prospects -- outfielder Carson Benge (No. 21), infielder/outfielder Jett Williams (No. 30) and starter Jonah Tong (No. 46) -- plus another highly touted pitching prospect in Brandon Sproat and a glut of controllable infielders including Brett Baty and Mark Vientos.

Those youngsters also make the Mets an attractive trade partner for the Padres, who are trying to replace a number of key departures while working with a limited budget.

With Dylan Cease and Michael King hitting free agency (Cease signed with the Blue Jays) and Yu Darvish expected to miss all of 2026 after undergoing elbow surgery, starting pitching is the Padres’ biggest area of need. Given their rotation issues, the Friars’ willingness to discuss Pivetta in trade talks is curious at first glance, though it makes more sense when you consider the righty is due to earn $19 million next season and could opt out after 2026.

It would also be a major surprise if Miller were traded after San Diego gave up four players -- including Leo De Vries (MLB Pipeline’s No. 3 overall prospect) -- in a deal with the A's to land the righty alongside left-hander JP Sears prior to the Trade Deadline. But nothing can be ruled out when Padres general manager A.J. Preller is involved.